Supermax Corporation which still faces WRO by the US Customs and Border patrol, gives updates on its international compliance standards with regard to Foreign Worker Management Policy and migrant workers policies and practices.
As part of its commitment to provide better working and living conditions to its workers, Supermax has recently completed refurbishment work to upgrade facilities at its dormitories. Workers’ accommodation now meets all local and expected international standards with improved canteen and dining areas complete with designated smoking sections, ATM
facilities, and other amenities. While these upgrades are now completed at its facilities.
Supermax had earlier in February announced an outreach programme and the setting up of a sinking fund to facilitate remediation payment to its former foreign workers who are eligible according to the expanded scope. The payout for the first batch of former foreign workers under the revised eligibility has been completed. The sinking fund is overseen by a six-member committee, inclusive of a reputable international consulting firm, a Malaysian-based NGO on human rights and social justice, and a migrant worker specialist.
The Company has also recently completed the election of its first Workers’ Committee elected by workers through a free, fair and transparent process. The role of the Workers’ Committee is to facilitate better communications and understanding of workplace issues and workers’ welfare as well as organise programmes, dialogues and feedback to strengthen labour relations between management and workers. In addition to the internally set-up Workers’ Committee, and to reinforce protection of workers’ rights, Supermax together with an international consulting firm introduced to its workers an independent channel to voice concerns, if any. Supermax workers are made aware of a platform known as ‘Suara Kami’, a multi-lingual external grievance channel provided by Responsible Business Alliance, a non-profit coalition dedicated to improving social, environment and ethical conditions in global supply chains.
Following a detailed review of the foreign worker policies and procedures practiced by its onsite vendors, the company has since completed an insourcing exercise to assume HR management of the vendors’ onsite workers. This is to ensure consistent as well as standardised practices and due compliance are carried across its on-site supply chain. Starting March 2022, the Company ensures full compliance with the prevailing regulations on leave management, payroll computation, and payslips issuance for its on-site vendors’ foreign workers. This is possibly another industry first aimed at ensuring equality and protection for all foreign workers regardless of direct or indirect recruitment.
In the coming months, Supermax adds it will launch an ‘open door policy’ campaign with relevant foreign embassies in Malaysia aimed at promoting workers’ welfare, protection, and strengthening of diplomatic access. Campaign initiatives would include extending open invitations to embassy representatives to visit the Company’s manufacturing plants and meet with the workers, free from interference, at any time, if needed.
The company said it is continuously making efforts to elevate its human resource practices to be aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards and the expectations of international regulatory bodies.
